Development Director

JOB OVERVIEW

Are you a fundraising strategist who still loves the craft of a well-built proposal? Footprint Project is seeking a Development Director to lead (and grow) the resource development side of our organization in both a strategic and hands‑on role. As a key member of our senior leadership team reporting to the CEO, you will design and implement a holistic development strategy, covering foundation grants, government funding, corporate sponsor ships, earned revenue, in‑kind donations and individual gifts.

You will drive the work itself: managing the pipeline and calendar, writing and submitting proposals, and stewarding funder relationships.

Since our inception in 2018, our organization has consistently scaled in resources and impact, hitting >50% year over year growth since 2023. We have some excellent funding streams and need someone ready to take us to the next level. Our annual budget is roughly $3,000,000 and we have 18 employees. We remain a start‑up‑style nonprofit with big goals, so this is a true player‑coach role: you’ll set the direction, build the team over time, and stay hands‑on throughout.

If you thrive in a fast‑moving environment, are passionate about clean energy and sustainable disaster response, and have a track record of winning and keeping funding, we’d love to meet you.

Footprint Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit disaster service organization headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana. We develop and deploy sustainable response technologies to empower community resilience. Footprint Project works across the disaster management cycle to expand frontline access to mobile microgrids and reduce fossil fuel use. Visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). to learn more.

• Location:
  
  New Orleans, LA or Asheville, NC metro areas preferred; open to fully remote for the right candidate.
• Supervises:
  Communications Coordinator, with additional development team hires planned as the organization grows.
• Workplace Policy:
  Hybrid or fully remote, depending on location.
• Job Type: Full‑time exempt if based in Louisiana or North Carolina. Applicants based outside of Louisiana or North Carolina will be considered for a 1099 contractor position with a revised, deliverables‑focused contract.
• Schedule:
  
  Monday‑Friday within the hours of 8am to 6pm local time for a total of approximately 40 hours/week.
• Travel: ~10-20% of the time for conferences, events, and partner meetings.
• Compensation:
  Starting at $70,000/year FTE salary, depending on experience. For applicants based outside of Louisiana or North Carolina, our contract rates are benchmarked against local market standards for independent consultants. The final rate offered will be based on the contractor’s primary location, level of experience, specialized expertise, and complexity of the deliverables.
• Benefits:
  Eligible employees receive the following:
  • Monthly stipends for healthcare, mental healthcare, and technology
  • 31 days per calendar year for vacations and holidays
  • Paid Sick Leave
  • Paid Bereavement Leave for the death of humans and pets, pregnancy loss, failed adoption, and failed fertility treatment
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Unpaid Family and Medical Leave
  • Professional development financial assistance
  • Career growth opportunities within a small, lean nonprofit organization

• Design, implement, and lead a comprehensive development strategy spanning our three primary revenue streams – foundation grants, government grants/contracts, and corporate partnerships/sponsor ships – including how we prioritize and position each for sustainable growth.
• Serve on the senior leadership team and participate in executive‑level decision‑making as appropriate, contributing a development perspective to organization‑wide strategy and planning.
• Set annual revenue and funder engagement goals in partnership with the CEO; track progress and report regularly to leadership.
• Supervise the Communications Coordinator, aligning storytelling, digital presence, and donor‑facing communications with development goals.
• Help build the development team as the organization grows, including hiring and supervising future development staff.